The Mount Taylor, Magdalena and Kiowa Ranger Districts are still selling firewood permits to New Mexicans in need of wood for their fireplaces.
There is a $20 minimum on any plan being purchased at all U.S. Forest Service ranger districts in the state. There are no extensions given on permits and closures of some areas could occur due to fire or weather danger. The Mountainair Ranger District is sold out and the deadline for the Sandia Ranger District has passed.
Permits can be purchased at the Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands Supervisor’s Office at 2113 Osuna Rd. NE. in Albuquerque. Call 505-346-3900 for the supervisor’s office hours and for more information on what is available in each district. Maps and other forest product permits may be available at the supervisor’s office or ranger district offices.
Here is what is available and where each ranger district office is located:
Mt. Taylor Ranger District
- Call 505-287-8833 for ranger district office hours and permit availability or stop by the district office at 1800 Lobo Canyon Rd. Grants, New Mexico 87020.
- June 2-Dec. 15: Dead/Down/Standing, districtwide Ponderosa Pine, Piñon, Juniper, Spruce and some Aspen is available for collection. The cost is $2 per cord with no more and no less than 10 cords allowed per household.
- June 24-Dec. 15: Wildings and any districtwide species except for Oak up to five feet is permitted with the cost $10 per tree and a maximum purchase of $100.
Magdalena Ranger District
- Call 575-854-2281 for ranger district office hours and permit availability or stop by the district office at 203 First St. Magdalena, New Mexico 87825.
- Aug. 1-Feb. 28: Dead/Down/Standing, districtwide Ponderosa Pine, Piñon, Juniper, and some Aspen is available for collection. The cost is $2 per cord with no more and no less than 10 cords allowed per household.
- Aug. 1-Feb. 28: Greenwood, districtwide Piñon and Juniper is available at $5 per cord with no more and no less than four cords.
Kiowa Ranger District
- Call 575-374-9652 for ranger district office hours and permit availability or stop by the district office at 714 Main St. Clayton, New Mexico 88415.
- Sept. 14-Feb. 15: Dead/Down Piñon and Juniper only available at $5 per cord with a four-cord minimum and 10-cord maximum.
When is it okay to burn in Albuquerque?
Many households in Albuquerque use wood burning stoves and fireplaces as their main source of heat or as a supplemental heat source in the winter. The City of Albuquerque recommends upgrading old wood burning devices to cleaner, more efficient appliances including EPA-certified wood and pellet stoves, fireplace inserts, hydronic heaters and forced air furnaces.
Although wood burning can keep a home warm, the particulate matter produced from burning can be harmful to the lungs and heart. In addition, wood burning produces carbon monoxide and other toxins that contribute to ground-level ozone.
The city issues no-burn days depending on the air quality in the city. Check the Daily Air Quality Update or call 505-768-2876 before burning in a fireplace or wood burning stove. The city also recommends only burning dry, seasoned firewood and maintaining a hot fire. Chimneys should be cleaned and inspected by a certified professional and an air cleaner or HVAC filter installed to help reduce airborne contaminants.
The city says to never burn wet or pressure treated wood, plastic or garbage. Most downed wood in the ranger districts is already seasoned. Freshly cut trees can take anywhere from 3-12 months to season depending on the moisture content in the timber.
To learn more about different types of firewood, read Firewood Facts on the New Mexico State University website.
